Warp-thread-separating mechanism.



E. F. HATHAWAY.

WARP THREAD SEPARATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8. I911. RENEWED NOV. II. 1914.

1,147,395. Patented Jul 20, 1915.

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E. F. HATHAWAY.

WARP THREAD SEPARATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8, 19M. RENEWED NOV. 11. 1914.

Patented July 20, 19 15.

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UNrrEn srarns rarnnr OFFICE.

EDGAR F. HATHAWAY, or meanness; MaSSACHfiSEE-TS- irssienoa To AMnitIcAN WARP nnawme via cnnvn com any, a coaroan'rro-N or MAINE.

wai -m-in mt-snmaamme MEoHANisM.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, EDGAR F. HATHAWAY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Do'rchester, county of Suliolk', and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Im-l provement in Warp-Thread-Separating Mechanism, of which the following 'descrip'-. tion, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to mechanism for separating and selecting loom "elements such as warp threads, heddles Or the like, insuch fashion that the separated elements may be presented for any suitable action such as seizure by a drawing-in needle or by suit able uniting mechanism.

In the specific embodiment of the invention herein illustrated, there is shown its application to the separating mechanism of a warp drawing-in machine where the threads, either in leased or unleased are rangenient, are placed under tension which tension is applied with particular reference to the nature of the thread separator or the thread holding clamps or both. P I

The invention will be. best. understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. a

Figure 1 is a rear elevation partly broken away showing one form of the l invention embodied in a separating and tensioning device for a warp drawing-in machine; Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation showing the tensioning members of the apparatus illustrated in Fig; 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevation on a reduced scale showing the needle in the act of seizing a separated thread; Fig. i is an elevation in partial section showing the relation of the threads, lease rods, separator, tensioning device and upper clamp i Fig. 5 is a detail showing the selecting and separating device; Fig. 6 shows a. modified form of selecting and separating mechanism adapted to work on -an unlea'sed war-p; Fig. 7 I is a section taken throughth'eibracket which supports the warp selecting worm;

F 8 is aside elevationof the bracket which supports the 'tc'nsio ning fdevices Fig.

9 is aplan of the tensio'ning devices show ing their relation to the separating wor m;

Speciiieatibh of Letters Patent, 7 Patented J 1115720, 1915. Application filed June a, 1911, Serial No. 631,877.

Rama November 11 1914. serial No. 871,636.

and Fig. 10 is :a diagram showing the action of the tensioning members "on a warp thread. v r

Referring to the drawings and to the embodiment 30f the invention there shown, I have illustrated thread selecting and -separating mechanism adapted to be ntilized inxco'nnection witha warp drawing-in machine cit-the general type shown ilizPIiOI' Patents" No. 755,861 to Field; N0.1 862,4=74 to Hathaway; No. 871,680 to Field, Hathaway. and Lanning; No. 871,681 to Field andHathaway; and No. 980,086 to Field, Lannin'g, Hathaway. and Blanchard. For thesake of clearness and to avoid nnne'cessary illustration and description, the devices for supporting, reed,'harnesses and the nee:- d'le' carriage, the. reed opener and the 11M"- ness eye selecting and :positioning devices as well as the 'operatingmechanism for these various parts, are not illustrated but the ap'pli'cationito a machine of the type .referred to of thethread "selecting andiseparatingmchanism whichais herein shown, will be readily'understood Referring first to the th-read selector and separator shown 'in Figs. :1 to 6*incl-usive, devices are disclosed adapted toselect and separate successive threads 'of agwarp which is "held in"leasedneondition. The'warp is held stretchedbe tween a lower clamp '(not shown). which1 clamp is applied :between the warp beam andyseparating mechanism, and upper clamp 1 ,whichlatter. rests loosely at each end in a groove eof an arm 3, .=-the 'latter 'being supported upon the machine frame (not shown). The warp threads when thus clamped in the machine are held in leased condition by means oifthe shafts l and '5 which serveas lease rods are inserted between thethreads: iniplac'e of the usual' tapes afterthe wanpe-ispl aced in the machine... The threadspass'in alternaj tion oil-opposite 'sidesoi the rod-s forming a line of thread crossings between thei-same. In this condition the threads are held; fixed texcepzt for a slight compensatingmovement) as in the prior 1 machines referred to and the needle carriage (not shown sustaining the drawing inneedle 6 Fi-gs.';} 1 and *3): is caused-to move progressively across the warp together with the separating devices and to draw the selected thr'eadsone by onetherefrom.

Referring now to the selecting and separating devices, while such devices might be in whole or in part positioned at the side or sides of the leased warp threads, herein they are embodied in a single unitary member carried by and reciprocatively moved by one of the lease rods 5. In the described form of invention such a unitary member comprises a sleeve 7 so related to the rod 5 that, as the latter is given a rocking or oscillatory movement, devices projecting from the sleeve are caused to release first a thread on one side of the lease and then the next ad jacent thread on the opposite side thereof and to force or wedge such released threads along to be engaged by other feeding and separating devices until positioned in the path of'the needle.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, the sleeve at one end is provided with a raised lip forming a picker member 8 which terminates in edge portions 9 approximately 180 degrees apart. The edge portions are relatively thin, but at its mid position the picker thickens, there being provided at each end and on its inner face a beveled portion 10 adapted to Wedge or force the release thread along. The separator and lease rods move with the needle carriage so that the leading or outer face of the picker 8 exerts an appreciable and substantially unchanging pressure against the end or confined thread 11 of the lease so that the leased threads are constantly pressed back as represented in the drawings. When, however, the shaft 5 is oscillated to turn the picker through approximately 180 degrees, (as represented by dotted lines in Fig. l) the foremost thread 11 tends to spring forward and separate itself from the rest of the series, the leased series being thereupon held back by the next thread of the series which lies on the opposite side of the lease rod 5, and which is now held in turn by the picker lip 8. Separation of the thread 11 which takes place through this action is sufficient to permit the entrance of the edge 9 between it and the remaining threads on the subsequent return oscillation of the picker from the dotted line position to the full line position shown in Fig. 6 as the shaft 5 is rocked back. The amount of separation is greatest at the line of their crossings and the picker at each end is provided with a thin beveled edge 12 adapted to in tersect the line of thread crossings and insure the certain picking off of the released threads. As the picker oscillates back and forth, the foremost thread on one side of the rod is released to be subsequently picked off on the reverse oscillation of the picker and this action is repeated first on one side and then on the other with successive movements of the separator. While the released thread might be further separated by the employment of separate or independently movable devices, herein the beveled face ii of the lip itself is relied upon to wedge the picked off thread farther away from the unreleased series on further movement of the separator, the position of the picked off thread when the separator has completed its half oscillation being approximately that had by the thread 11* in Fig. 1. It will thus be seen that the separation and pri mary feeding movement as well as of the thread is efiected by the turning or swinging movement of a member turning about an axis and moving transversely the plane or extent of the warp, this being herein the turning movement of the lip 8.

Prior to seizure by the drawing-in needle, separated threads are conveyed still farther away from the main body of threads, this being preferably accomplished through a step-by-step movement so that there remains at all times a series of widely separated threads as represented in Fig. 1 which the operative can watch. Such feeding or conveyance of the separated threads may be effected through devices working at the side of the lease or through devices working within the lease but independent of the releasing and selecting devices, but herein it is obtained by means of members carried by the sleeve 7, such members comprising wedge-shaped feeding lips 13. These lips are arranged in two sets on opposite sides of the sleeve, the members of one set being in staggered relation to the members of the other set. Each wedging lip terminates in an edge 1d, the advance side of which lies in a plane substantially transverse to the axis of the sleeve, but the opposite side of which is beveled or wedgeshaped as shown. When the thread has been released, selected and primarily separated by the lip 8, that thread is left in such a position that on the reverse oscillation of the sleeve it is engaged by the beveled edge of the foremost member (herein designated as 13) of the series of wedging lips on the opposite side of the sleeve and on the continued movement of the sleeve wedged still farther along. On the next or reverse movement of the sleeve,

it is engaged by the foremost wedging lip (designated 18 of the opposite series and advanced still farther and so on with each turn of the sleeve until it finally reaches a position directly in the path of the needle (3.

The latter is preferably so timed that it is projected beyond the threads before the foremost thread reaches 1ts extreme forward position and the latter is then wed gcd against the side of the needle to be seized by the needle on its return movement.

The separation of the threads is facilitated by a stroking or smoothing action, herein obtained by rotating the lease rod 4. This particularly in connection with the oscillatory movement of the rod 5, tends to straighten the unseparated threads and free them one from another. This, effect is further increased by introducing irregularities such as the corrugations 15 and 16 in the surface of the shafts or rods so that the threads are more or less agitated prior to release. Slightly increased tension is, also placed upon the particular threads coming within the influence of the separating devices, this being. secured by gradually increasing the diameterof one or both shafts I be driven from the driving mechanism of the machine in substantially the same fashion as is the thread. separator shaft on the prior machine hereinbefore referred to, the same devices being utilized to rotate the shaft 4:. The oscillatory movement ofthe shaft 5 is preferably somewhat more than 180 degrees. i I

In the operation of the machine, it will be seen that the two rods 4; and 5, together with the selecting :and separating sleeve 7, travel with the needle carriage and pass through the leased warp fromone end to the other, constantly pressing back the leased threads as represented in Fig, 1.. As each thread is presented to the needle, the needle seizes it and draws the frictionally held end loose from the friction clamp 1. In draw ing the warp threads where the ends are held loosely for Withdrawal from the clamp,

and particularly threads which are of small diameter and' large number to the inch, it is desirable to apply "a tension to those threads which are within the influence of the separating devices, in excess of what can be obtained by the clamps. The applicationof such a tension renders the threads susceptible of a more certain and ready separation than could be obtained where the lesser tension obtainable by the. friction clamp alone must be relied upon. 7 By utilizing auxiliary tension devices, moreover, the same uniform tension may be repeatedly imparted to the threadswhich are undergoing selection and separation. This is desirable even where threads are held in the upper clamp with an unyielding grip and severed each from its clamp prior to orwhen seized by the needle, for it is impossible to obtain, a uniform tension upon all threads of the warp by means of the clamps alone.

Such auxiliary tension applied to thethreads undergoing separation, is als oiof importance where a selector is utilized either in connedtion with an unleased or a leased warp, I

which" picks off the threads by swinging transversely across the extent of the warp for it tends to hold them taut and separated and to overcome any tendencyfor loose threads to twist about or curl over the others.

Referring to the drawings, 1* preferably employ therefor, in connection with the described thread separating mechanism, auxiliary means for forcing upon the leased threads an extra amount of tension at the time of selection, which tension, however, is

preferably relieved before the thread is seized by theneed le so that it is free to be withdrawn from the clamp '1. In the case of fine threads, such tension overcomes any tendencyof the foremostthread ofthe lease,

when freed, to cling to the succeeding thread and thereby prevent the beveled edge 12 of i the separating lip from passing between the two threads. Herein tenslonmeans'are provided which act intermittently upon the foremost group of threads so thatas the separator. is about to pick off its threads, those threads which are within the control of the selector and separator or are about to pass within its control, are placed under a much greater tension than can "be had 'c from the adjustment of the clamps.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the i tensiioning means comprises a pair of rotary tensioning :members 18 and 19, segmental in shape and having opposed curved faces which present friction surfaces of felt,

leather or other suitable material. In the illustrated form of the invention they comprise bodies of friction material formed into.

the required shape and clamped between metallic plates. These friction members are of sufficient longitudinal extent to overlap the foremost threads undergoing selection and separation and are arranged in proximity to each other so that when turned in the direc tion of the arrow (Fig. 2) the threads are gripped between the two tensioning mem bers and, as the latter continue to turnyare then stretched tightly up and across the lease rods. As the members continue their movement, the threads are released -and again relax. This not only tensions the threads but also strokes or wip'esth'em intermittently which further assists their separation. This wiping and tensioning action takes place just prior to the movement of the beveled edge 12 across the line of thread proximity and the grip which they effect upon the threads may be adjusted. The tensioning members are mounted in their re spective bearings upon shafts 25 and 26 which carry intermeshing gears 27 and 28, the shaft 26 also having a sprocket wheel 29 to which turning movement is transmitted through the sprocket chain 80. The latter is driven from the sprocket wheel 31 on the end of the driven member 32, the latter being driven by the shaft 4 although it may be disconnected therefrom to permit the removal of the shaft 4 from the machine. As the upper lease rod or shaft 4 is rotated, the tensioning devices are turned in synchronism therewith and in opposite directions each to the other, the result being that prior to the passage of the beveled lip 12 across the line of thread crossings, all the threads in the vicinity of the separator have applied to them uniform but increased tension, thereby rendering the action of the separator more certain and effective. It is obvious that the tensioning devices move with the needle carriage and with the separator act upon successive portions of the leased warp.

While the tensioning device such as shown is of great utility in connection with the selection and separation of the successive threads of a leased warp, it may also be used to advantage in connection with the selection and separation of successive threads of an unleased warp.

In Figs. 6 to 11 inclusive, I have shown tensioning devices essentially similar to tensioning devices just described, but combined with a selecting and separating worm or screw of the type shown in the prior drawing-in machines hereinbefore referred to. Such a screw comprises a sleeve 33 having a fine, but coarsely pitched helical groove 34 of suflicient depth to receive a warp thread and convey it along as the screw is turned. The screw is mounted upon the constantly rotated shaft 35 which latter has a cone shaped section 36 to apply an increasing tension to the warp threads, and, as the shaft is rotated, the lip 37 of the screw cuts transversely across the threads and picks them off one by one from the unseparated series. The threads as shown are held in unlea sed condition between the lower clamp 38 and the upper clamp 39, being so held by the clamps as to partly encircle the shaft 37 and the screw 33. The clamp 39 is a friction clamp from which the threads can be drawn by the drawing-in needle (the latter not shown). The foremost threads herein, as in the case of the thread selector previously described, are placed under a uniform and extra amount of tension by means of the friction devices 40 and 41 that all threads within the influence of the separator have applied to them an additional and uniform amount of tension. The tensioning devices are of substantially the same construction as those heretofore described and are carried upon their respective driving shafts, being supported by the arm 42 sustained by the bracket 43 which is secured to the needle carriage. The ten sioning devices are turned through gears and the driving chain and sprocket wheel in substantially the same manner as the devices heretofore described from the separator shaft 35, the latter being connected to drive the member 44 which carries the sprocket wheel 45. The driving member 44 is grooved at 46 and is held in place by the spring pressed pin 47 but may be longitudinally withdrawn to remove the separating shaft 85.

By means of the tensioning devices de scribed, the worm is caused to act upon the unleased threads as the latter are alternately tension-ed and relaxed, the needle be ing timed to seize and draw a thread when in its relaxed condition.

l Vhile T have herein shown for purposes of illustration the application of my inven tion to certain types of separators only, it is to be understood that the same may have extensive application to other types of separating devices and to separating devices em ployed in connection with positively held threads as well as those which are frictionally held and intended to be withdrawn from the holding devices after seizure by a needle or other thread engaging element. Furthermore, while the mechanism is herein shown as applied to a warp drawing machine, it is obvious that it may have useful application to thread uniting machines or other mechanisms where selection and separation of warp threads or other similar elements is had.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific construction of the parts herein described or their relative arrangement or form, but that extensive deviations may be made from the disclosed embodiment of the invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims:

1. ln a thread placing machine, the combination with thread placing means of means for holding warp threads with their ends loosely clamped, whereby they may be with: drawn therefrom by the thread placing means; wedge shaped means for selecting successive ones of the clamped threads; and means for tensioning the threads within the influence of the selector, said tension being relieved on engagement of the selected thread by the thread placing means to permit the thread to be drawn from the clamp.

In a thread placing machine, the combination with thread placing means of means for holding warp threads with their ends selector;

loosely clamped; wedge-shaped thread selecting means; and means for intermittently 3. In a thread placing machine, the combination with thread placing means of'means for holding warpthreads with their ends loosely clamped; a wedge-shaped, thread and means for intermittently applying an additional tension to those threads only at or adjacent said selector.

4. In a thread selecting apparatus, the combination with means for holdingqwarpthreads, of a selector adapted to turn about an axis across the eXtent of the threads; and means for intermittently applying an additional tension to those threads only in the vicinity of the selector.

5. In a thread separating apparatus, the combination with means for holding warp threads, of a selector adapted to turn across the extent of the threads; a selector shaft adapted to turn said selector, the threads being held in contact with said selector and said shaft; and a tensioning device adapted to intermittently tension the threads in the vicinity of said selector only. I

6. In a thread separating apparatus, th combination with means for holding warp threads, of a selector adapted to turn across the extent of the threads; a selector shaft adapted to turn said selector, the threads being held in contact with said selector and said shaft; and a tensioning device adapted to intermittently tension the threads.

7. A thread tensioning device comprising a pair of non-cylindrical tensioning members; and means for turning them in opposite directions, the faces of said members being adapted to alternately engage and release the threads.

8. In a thread separating apparatus, the combination of means for holding warp threads; a pair of rotary tensioning members having fixed aXes of rotation relatively to the threads, said members being adaptedto intermittently tension the threads.

9. In a thread separating device, the combination of a separator; a warp holder and a tensioning device comprising a pair of tensioning members on opposite sides of the threads; and means for imparting to said members a movement of rotation in opposite directions; said members being adapted first to engage the threads and tension them and on further rotary movement to relax them.

10. In a thread-placing machine the combination with thread-placing means, of means for holding a leased warp with its ends loosely clamped, thread-selecting and separating means located between the leased threads, means for tensioning the threads undergoing separation, said tension being relieved on engagement of the separated thread by the thread placingmeans topermit, thefthr'ead to be drawn. from the clamp. The. combination with mechanism fol separating loom members hel'd' inlea'sed conditionjand adaptedto be selected by release one one from the main body of members,

said mechanism including oscillatory means having a separating movement whereby it is interposed betweenithe selectedmember and the main body, said means by the same move ment being adapted to convey still further the freed members, from the body of leased members and means for intermittently applying tension to the leased members.

12. The combination with oscillatory means for separating loom members held in leased condition, said means being located within the lease, a releasing member, of means for intermittently applying tension to the leased members on both sides of said leasing member. n

13. The combination with means for crowding back a series of leased members and alternately freeing the foremost member from opposite sides of the lease, said means being operated by devices Within the lease, a releasing member, of means for intermittently applying tension to the leased 1rjnember on both sides of said leasingmem- 14. The combination with mechanismfor separating loom members held in leased condition and adapted to be selected one by one by release from the main body of members, said mechanism including a device having a turning movement across the lease whereby it is interposed between the selected member and the main body and means for intermittently applying tension to the leased members on each side of said lease.

15. The combination with means for holding a series of leased loom members adapted to be released one by one from the main body, of an oscillatory separator adapted to enter between the separated member and the main body, and means for intermittently applying tension to the leased members on each side of said lease.

16. The combination with an oscillatory means for separating loom elements held in leased condition, said means being located within the lease, of means for intermittently applying tension to the leased elements and .for maintaining such tension during the separation of said elements by said separating means.

17 The combination with mechanism for ments and for maintaining such tension during the separation of such elements by said ing the action of the sai'd'separating means. separator.

18. The combination With means for In testimony whereof, I have signed my holding a series of leased loom elements name to this specification, in the presence of 5 adapted to be released one by one from the tWo subscribing Witnesses.

main body, of an oscillatory separator adapt- T, ed to enter between the separated element EDGAR HATHAWA and the main body, and means for intermit- Witnesses: tently applying tension to the leased ele- ROBERT H. KAMMLER,

10 ments and for maintaining such tension dur- THOMAS B. BOOTH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patent Washington, D. G. 

